k6 vs Postman:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, k6 had more branded searches than Postman among API development tools worldwide. k6 had about 87,500 branded searches, while Postman had 17,500. k6 made up 59.1% of all API development tool searches we track, and Postman accounted for 11.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about API development tools, Postman appeared in all five answers and k6 in two. Postman was mentioned before k6 in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
k6, about 5 searches for every 1 for Postman
Who does AI mention more?
Postman, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Postman, named ahead of k6 in every answer
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Top API development tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Postman appeared in all five answers. k6 was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Postman was listed before k6 in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Postman5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Insomnia5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Bruno4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Swagger3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- k62 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SoapUI2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hoppscotch2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Stoplight2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about API development tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which API development tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best API development tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best API development tool for testing APIs?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“api development tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“rest api tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is k6 or Postman more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for k6 and Postman by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight API development tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for k6, Postman. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | k6 | SoapUI | Postman | Swagger | Hoppscotch | Stoplight | Bruno | Insomnia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.5% | 28.7% | 16% | 13.2% | 0.23% | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.7% | 25.9% | 15% | 12.9% | 0.2% | 0.25% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 45% | 25.4% | 14.8% | 14.3% | 0.25% | 0.25% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.3% | 22.8% | 13.9% | 13.4% | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 48.2% | 22.3% | 15.8% | 13% | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.2% | 25.3% | 14.7% | 14.2% | 0.37% | 0.24% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.2% | 22.3% | 15.8% | 13% | 0.32% | 0.22% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| May 2026 | 50.2% | 23.2% | 13.5% | 12.6% | 0.34% | 0.18% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.2% | 22.9% | 14% | 12.4% | 0.27% | 0.18% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.4% | 19.6% | 14.6% | 13% | 0.28% | 0.19% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 53.6% | 20% | 14.2% | 11.8% | 0.29% | 0.16% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 59.1% | 18.3% | 11.8% | 10.3% | 0.26% | 0.14% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
How has the k6 and Postman comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- k6 was ahead of Postman in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, k6’s share of searches among API development tools worldwide moved from 41.5% to 59.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 71.5K to 87.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Postman’s share of searches among API development tools worldwide moved from 16% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.6K to 17.5K.
How did search popularity change for API development tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, k6 gained share of searches among API development tools worldwide, from 53.6% to 59.1%.
In September 2026, Postman lost share of searches among API development tools worldwide, from 14.2% to 11.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using k6’s and Postman’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among API development tools
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